My new initials are ssdb but I'm still ssdc

Uk Jkr fan forced to remake after my shadowban :( ⛓️ 🧬🦢

[same-shit-different-blogname]

Hello beloved mutuals (I still exist! Do we remember me? 😭) I've recently started a new job and think my three hour commute is a perfect opportunity to actually finish The Hallmarked Man. But... do I just go over my notes and carry on where I left off (part four maybe?) or restart the whole book. And do I carry on my silly lil 'thoughts after part X' posts even though I'm so far behind?

[same-shit-different-blogname]

[arrow-ettes]

people talking about male characters: I loveee this guy he sucks so bad but he's still my favorite #myguy #ilovemoralnuance

people talking about female characters: idk I don't hate her I just feel like we wouldn't get along in person and also she does things I personally wouldn't do so that's a bit off putting.

[patchaunceyluver76]

Part 1 thoughts

ITS SO GOOD TO SEE ROBIN AND STRIKE AGAIN!!!!!!

There, needed to get that out of the way. Now, on to the rest: Strike is being a twat so far and on one hand I'm obviously amused by it, but on the other hand I didn't not really expect that him coming to terms with bring in love with Robin would come with such pattern of thoughts/behavior. I do love how sparky the narration is in regards to his attitude though. Get a grip Strike!

Robin's ectopic pregnancy was such a shock to me and it's an interesting way to force her to confront the subject of children and (not) wanting (/being able to have) some, but it made me feel terribly for her. Especially when Murphy brought up the subject of eggs freezing and Robin rightfully snapped at him when he tried to push it. I like how seriously it's depicted, and how Robin's words really drive home the fact that it is not an easy procedure to go through.

Also, the motif of death/birth in this first part is definitely captivating: Ted's and Rowntree's deaths juxtaposed with talk of pregnant women (Robin's friend Vanessa, and family members) and, obviously, Decima and her secret newborn that she is adamant no one learns the existence of. Plus the mystery of Decima wanting the proof her boyfriend is dead when everyone else thinks (or at least says) is alive....

I will admit, upon reading the summary before the book was out, that the case didn't seem too interesting to me, though I didn't doubt I'd change my mind as I read, and as planned I'm getting hooked. Strike's dismissal/reluctance at taking up Decima's case was well-written, and I like how his interest is piqued just as mine was as I kept on reading. I don't have anything to say about the case itself because I'm terrible at this sort of thing, but I'm properly intrigued now lol. What a shady case for sure....

Now on to part 2!!

(And obviously I loved Pat's tin can with princess Diana's face on it. Thank you Pat for being the MVP once again. I wonder if she's the one who suggest the common gift for Strike's birthday.)

[same-shit-different-blogname]

Yes!

Finally someone else reading it that's annoyed by Strike and some of his behaviours and patterns! Why this need to sort of ambush Robin with his feelings, why does he need to use his ex girlfriend's suicide note to do it, etc. I keep seeing people annoyed at Robin but all of her thoughts make sense to me for her character!?

[patchaunceyluver76]

Omg, who could feel annoyed at Robin?!? I mean, I know she's been lying a lot in this volume, but if anything her motivations at least make perfect sense and she has genuine reasons to be a mess concerning some things and making sometimes ill-informed choices.

Strike has none of that, and it's frustrating to see that accepting his feelings has led him to adopt such a selfish, stubborn point of view about what he ought to be doing and how. His heart may be in the right place (loving Robin and stopped lying to himself about it) but the way he's been going about it has never made me want Strellacott to fail more. I'll be back to shipping them when he stops being a dick, for now I just want consequences for him :/

[same-shit-different-blogname]

It's so insane to me! I keep going on the reddit threads hoping for some sleuthing and all of it is people being mad at Robin. No nuance. No 'Strike is actually being quite inappropriate here'. No Case!

[same-shit-different-blogname]

Thoughts after finishing Part Three:

Spoilers!

I don't actually have that many thoughts. This part seemed predominantly focused on Strike/Robin, which, okay, he's won me over a bit with the bracelet.

I think it's safe to say that the woman seen with the man who entered Wright's flat is not Tish. First ssdc error of many, I fear.

Albie's made me certain that Rupert is at least believed to be alive by those genuinely close to him, and others were aware of whatever plan he did have. The fact Sofia, who I think Robin is probably right about being the woman, died does make me wonder if Rupert is either dead as well or in danger though.

I know a lot of the motherhood/pregnancy stuff is focused on Robin's own development (and how insanely satisfying was that row!?), but JKR normally ties all her themes together. Decima and her son, the fact she's keeping Lion a secret... I don't know what I'm thinking but I think there's something there.

I have a Big Theory snowballing from something in part 4 so that's all I can think about now

[halfbloodking]

JK Rowling photographed at London King’s Cross Railway Station, England, 1999

[same-shit-different-blogname]

Is the job market actually this awful or am I just cursed

[girlrustcohle]

i love reading my books #readingmybooks

[andhumanslovedstories]

Reblog this poll with your age in the tags. Are you younger, older, or the exact same age as the person you reblogged this from?

Older

Younger

Same age

Voting ended onSep 12, 2025

[patchaunceyluver76]

Part 1 thoughts

ITS SO GOOD TO SEE ROBIN AND STRIKE AGAIN!!!!!!

There, needed to get that out of the way. Now, on to the rest: Strike is being a twat so far and on one hand I'm obviously amused by it, but on the other hand I didn't not really expect that him coming to terms with bring in love with Robin would come with such pattern of thoughts/behavior. I do love how sparky the narration is in regards to his attitude though. Get a grip Strike!

Robin's ectopic pregnancy was such a shock to me and it's an interesting way to force her to confront the subject of children and (not) wanting (/being able to have) some, but it made me feel terribly for her. Especially when Murphy brought up the subject of eggs freezing and Robin rightfully snapped at him when he tried to push it. I like how seriously it's depicted, and how Robin's words really drive home the fact that it is not an easy procedure to go through.

Also, the motif of death/birth in this first part is definitely captivating: Ted's and Rowntree's deaths juxtaposed with talk of pregnant women (Robin's friend Vanessa, and family members) and, obviously, Decima and her secret newborn that she is adamant no one learns the existence of. Plus the mystery of Decima wanting the proof her boyfriend is dead when everyone else thinks (or at least says) is alive....

I will admit, upon reading the summary before the book was out, that the case didn't seem too interesting to me, though I didn't doubt I'd change my mind as I read, and as planned I'm getting hooked. Strike's dismissal/reluctance at taking up Decima's case was well-written, and I like how his interest is piqued just as mine was as I kept on reading. I don't have anything to say about the case itself because I'm terrible at this sort of thing, but I'm properly intrigued now lol. What a shady case for sure....

Now on to part 2!!

(And obviously I loved Pat's tin can with princess Diana's face on it. Thank you Pat for being the MVP once again. I wonder if she's the one who suggest the common gift for Strike's birthday.)

[same-shit-different-blogname]

Yes!

Finally someone else reading it that's annoyed by Strike and some of his behaviours and patterns! Why this need to sort of ambush Robin with his feelings, why does he need to use his ex girlfriend's suicide note to do it, etc. I keep seeing people annoyed at Robin but all of her thoughts make sense to me for her character!?

[patchaunceyluver76]

Delulu thought but since there cannot be a Strike Girlfriend Per Book anymore for obvious reasons, I joked to my girlfriend about Midge taking up the mantel. I think Midge should bag a beautiful interesting woman every book if Tasha and her don't get back together so we can still follow the trope of the detective who attracts very pretty women

[same-shit-different-blogname]

Thoughts after finishing Part Two:

Spoilers!

Secrets again. Kenneth Ramsay won’t reveal why Pamela had to leave early. “She— it was a private matter”

A number of suspicious things surrounding the silvershop. The mistake where the centrepiece was taken to the wrong place then brought back by Wright by taxi. Was this actually when it was stolen? The shop is far from flourishing but deals with very expensive wares, how do they afford it? “The sink and bog are clean” so the hair on the u bend would be unexpected if Jim Todd is such a diligent cleaner? The shop is insecure, the silver not insured, the security untrained, Wright’s references unchecked, the alarm or camera never upgraded. Pamela leaves early “which meant Wright could close the door without setting the alarm”. It’s also Pamela who notices the mix-up RE the delivery. Pamela was the one who suggested hiring more staff, and saw Wright the most (alongside Jim Todd). And also, is it confirmed that it was Wright writing emails to Osgood? Surely this could’ve been anyone accessing the computer? Was Wright actually Osgood’s “problem” that the email suggests they can help with?

Robin’s point about the theft. “It’s not like stealing cash, or diamonds, which you could sell easily. The thieves can’t have been intending to melt the silver down, because its value is in its form. And this centrepiece alone must be massively heavy.” So either it’s the object itself that’s significant to the thief, or it’s not, and the stolen silver is a red herring by the killer to divert attention from the murder.

Identity— “Oh no, Wright wore glasses, and had a beard. He was dark.” Dark as in tanned or only the hair? Fake tan. “No, he doesn’t look at all like Knowles”— very certain, or at least insistent, that Wright is Knowles. The glasses and beard feel like they are set up to change his identity. Cleanshaven, untanned, and without glasses he’d look completely different.

Is the fact Strike seems to be only using this investigation to get closer to Robin going to have consequences? Ethically, it seems a bit off.

Is the man who went into Wright’s apartment ‘the real Wright’? Is it a faked death?

This may be IBH Paperwhite-induced brainrot, BUT on the freemasons support website, AustinH appears both times we see the contents on the forum. I don’t know if this will tie into the rest of the investigation yet, or if it’s just a fun easter egg mini mystery, but I think we’ll meet AustinH and Kojak in the flesh. In which case, what are the rumours about that would be so bad? I feel like he must be guilty, and it’ll be revenge porn or something similarly awful. I saw Rosamund Pike in the excellent play Inter Alia this year so that’s where my mind is going. But in which case, “I can sort that for you no lawyers involved” does not seem legal, unless it’s a policeman/vigilante type? Idk

And is one of these forum frequenters someone who works at the shop? Jim Todd was shifty when questioned about it.

Osgood. Three emails, the one from the silver shop offering to deal with his problem, someone asking if he was still interested in buying his van, and a girl “who couldn’t write proper English” claiming he’d played a prank on her cousin.

His appearance with dark curly hair. Is jkr wanting us to think that this is who the man who went into Wright’s flat (wearing sunglasses) was pretending to be? Hm

Is it suspicious that the real Osgood deleted the emails?

Lion— the most traditional hallmark. So ‘the hallmarked man’ is both the dead man, and also Lion, Rupert and Decima’s child?

My thinking at this point is that ‘William Wright’ was Rupert and he is alive and potentially living abroad. Potentially as 'Os'. The girl might be Tish, Zac’s girlfriend. The body in the vault is pornstar Dick De Lion. But I don't think Rupert/’William’ intended to commit murder, I think some other things are at play.

[same-shit-different-blogname]

Oh my god chapter 29

[denmark-street]

mmh contemplating switching from onenote to notion for my books notes

[same-shit-different-blogname]

I've just got a hefty Google doc going

[same-shit-different-blogname]

Me n the other 20% of the Strike relationship poll, how are we feeling 😭

[traumatization]

pisses me tf off when i’m just scrolling and i accidentally click an answer on a poll and it’s not the answer i would have clicked. it makes me feel like im fucking with real scientific data and ruining the outcome for people who spent their life gathering this poll data. i’m so sorry i ruined your life’s work with my clicking.

[joannerowling]

I don't care about him specifically but the more insanely racist comments i see made about Paapa Essiedu, the more i'm glad for his casting. Perhaps HBO was trying to save us from having to endure the Snape Wives 2.0.

[joannerowling]

Perhaps this casting will make me appreciate the character more. I never really took to him as a kid, and as a teen his fandom soured me on him (genuinely one of the most deranged side of HP stan culture, very difficult to find people who are normal about him). Perhaps with a new spin i will suddenly see the light.

[same-shit-different-blogname]

I'm actually really excited about his casting (and not just because I've seen him live...!). All the characters I've seen him play before have a layer of relatability even amongst brashness, and also humour which, if incorporated into Snape, will bring out really interesting parts of the character. I think it's also a good sign that they're leaning towards a different interpretation than Rickman. Rickman was great, but he was playing the Snape we're never sure of the loyalties of. With Essiedu, Snape's going to be a character nearly everyone watching the show will know has a redemption in the final book and why. So I'll be really interested in that extra element to the role— that we can maybe see more of the Sydney Carton-type earlier on.